Historical Wheeling-Do you know the Friendly City’s History?

Wheeling CVBlog: Historical Wheeling

Events for History Buffs

By: Jennifer Materkoski, M.A.

 

 

Do you know your Friendly City history? With spring kicked into full gear, opportunities to celebrate Wheeling’s past are popping up around town. Here are a few ways to learn more:

 

  1. Mount Wood Cemetery Work Days: On the first Saturday of every month from late spring through early fall, volunteers work on the clean-up of Wheeling’s oldest cemetery. Wood Cemetery is located in the North Park section of town, and it has been the final resting place of some of Wheeling’s most prominent citizens since 1848. From the effects of time and vandalism, some of the monuments have fallen into disrepair.

 

Several local organizations and volunteers have formed a mission to restore the cemetery to its former glory. The first work day for 2017 is Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. No restoration experience is necessary, and all tools and supplies will be provided.

 

  1. Historic Walking Tours: Saturday, May 6 marks the return of historic walking tours through Wheeling presented by The Eckhart House. The tour begins at the Wheeling Visitors Center and concludes in Victorian Old Town with a tour of the Eckhart House, built in 1892. The professionally guided and entertaining tour visits sites significant to Wheeling’s three centuries of history.

 

The tours begin at 10 a.m. and last approximately 2 ½ hours. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 6-18. An elegant luncheon in the Eckhart House Tea Room is available at the conclusion of the tour for an additional fee. For reservations, please call 304-232-5439.

 

  1. West Virginia Independence Hall: Located on Market Street in Downtown Wheeling, West Virginia Independence Hall is home to an abundance of information about historical Wheeling and West Virginia. Originally the Wheeling Custom House, the building dates back to the start of the Civil War.

 

On May 13, visitors can check out the 18th Century Clothing Seminar. Clothing from all social classes of people from Western Pennsylvania and Virginia will be on display and discussion topics will include style, footwear, fabric and patterns. Women’s clothing will be on display from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a break for lunch. Display will resume with men’s clothing from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.

 

On May 25, WVIH will continue its Fort Henry Commemoration Speaker Series. This year marks the 235th anniversary of the siege at Fort Henry. The series is sponsored by the Fort Fort Henry Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Wheeling Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. The next installment features Jeanne Finstein’s presentation of “The Other Zanes,” which will provide information on the relatives of the famous Betty Zane. The talk begins at 5:30 p.m. in the courtroom. All events are free and open to the public.